This week has been great! I have learned so much from all the children. I love this school and all the children. The schools are much different here than they are in America.
The children have art, computer lab, library, and drama weekly but the teacher takes them to the designated rooms and teaches them in those areas. When the students go to physical education and music the teacher goes with them to help the physical education and music teacher. The school also includes religion in their curriculum. I am with a relatively new teacher, which is nice because I can relate to her very well.
I have realized that words and sayings I use have different meanings to the people here in Ireland. I can tell when the children give me a blank look that they don't understand. I know that this is a language barrier so I try to say things in a different way so they will understand it.
I have come to realize how hard it could be for a student to come into a country where they don’t know how to speak the language. I speak the same language as they do here and different meanings and accents can still be confusing.
One of my friends from home came to see me this weekend. It was a great surprise! We toured Dublin on Friday after school and all day Saturday. I learned a great deal about the history and culture of the city through the guided tours that we took.
On Sunday we went to the Wicklow Mountains which are close to where I live. We took a guided tour there. The mountains were beautiful! I learned a lot about the country side and the farmers on this tour. On the tour we had a great traditional Irish meal. I am learning more than I could have imagined about a different place and different culture!
